How do you cope with massive mood swings at work?

[SJChief]

I'm 5.5weeks pregnant (first time at 35) and already suffering from horrendous mood swings and really hoping for some reassurance that I'm not the only one who has completely lost their sh*t in the work place.

I have a stressful job at the best of times, but yesterday I went into complete meltdown, hung up the phone on my boss and spent half the day in hysterical tears. Luckily my boss is understanding and knows I'm pregnant, but I feel utterly humiliated and so out of control.

Has anyone else experienced this type of thing and how did you handle it? Loads of the mood swing posts seem to only talk about the way we treat our partners, but the way it's impacting my professional career is a real worry!

I felt like this in the early weeks of pregnancy so you're definitely not alone! I felt so sorry for anyone in my office because I was snippy all the time due to feeling sick and exhausted.

I'm 15 weeks now and can definitely say I feel a lot more 'stable' lol. I still have my moments but I think most of it's hormone driven in the first few weeks topped off with any symptoms you're having and is also a big thing to cope with mentally (whether baby was planned or not). The early weeks are rough but you'll get through it, just take yourself off to the loo for five minutes if you feel it all getting on top of you 😊

Thanks @hmfair54, I think I probably need to be a bit more realistic with myself that this whole thing is a lot to handle (previous CP, completely exhausted, not sleeping well, constant nausea, crazy anxiety) on top of an objectively difficult time at work.

I'm definitely finding the whole "not being in control of my body" aspect hard to deal with - just as well I have another 8 months or so to get used to it!! :)

Me! I'm 6 weeks and my attitude stinks!! I've became snappy, moody and miserable! The slightest things really make me snap and I can't tolerate anyone at the moment, I have a short fuse!

I think you need to find someone at work you can vent too that's what I do xx

I work from home, which I think makes me quite lucky. I've went through stages of being very grumpy and DH has suffered for it it, but it's perfectly normal. Especially for you needing to deal with other people not just those closest to you!

I was actually surprised that my midwife mentioned mood swings, DH was there and she spoke to him about how important it was to let pregnant women get on with it. She said one minute you'll be fine and the next you'll be overcome with emotion (including rage) and it's totally normal so don't be hard on yourself and she told DH that he's get his normal(ish) wife back soon as the hormones settle more in 2nd/3rd trimester.

Thanks @AlviesMam - that makes me feel better! I've ended up having to tell a couple of people at work just to explain why I was so dramatically inconsolable! Much earlier than I wanted, but I guess it's better than being fired...

@Quiffy - luckily I'm doing two days a week at home at the moment! It's a lifesaver! Thanks for the reassurance!